2025-04-01-annual-report

GASYARD DEVELOPMENT TRUST TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

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The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019).

Objectives and activities

Our Vision, Mission and Approach The Gasyard Development Trust's mission is to do whatever it takes to increase the capacity of residents in the Triax area in order to enhance their social, economic and educational wellbeing including developing the built environment.

Company Objectives

• The objects of the company as stated in the Memorandum of Association are: - Advancing community development by providing practical support to community and voluntary organisations in the area of benefit so as to increase their efficiency and effectiveness and to encourage such organisations to co-operate to achieve their aims;

• • Advancing the arts, culture and heritage by assisting in the development of festivals, tours, exhibitions and other events and programmes and by encouraging community participation in arts and cultural activities;

• +» Promoting the protection, enhancement and improvement of the built environment and the provision of public amenities;

• Advancing education and training and promoting the physical, intellectual and social development of young children;

• • Advancing health and promoting physical and mental wellbeing and participation in healthy recreation; » Developing the capacity and skills of residents of communities in the area of benefit that suffer social and economic disadvantage, in such a way that they are better able to identify, and help meet, their needs and participate more fully in society;

• « Providing facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and other leisure time occupations with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants;

• • Promoting equality and diversity and religious and racial harmony by encouraging participation in a range of inclusive and accessible programmes, which strive to bring together all sections of the community;
• • Promoting social enterprise and such other charitable purposes as may from time to time be determined; + Promoting co-operation and parinership working between community and voluntary groups, public and statutory agencies and bodies and private sector organisations to help achieve these Objects.

Core Values and Beliefs

• in addition to our company objectives, the following highlights the work of the Gasyard Development Trust (GDT):

• « Advancing arts, culture and heritage GDT is committed to advancing arts, culture and heritage by making it easily assessable to the residents of the Triax area whilst respecting afl cultural beliefs and heritage.

• » Social justice, equality and diversity GDT is committed to equality, justice and promoting diversity in order to address poverty and exclusion.

• » Community infrastructure Improvement GDT is committed to promoting the enhancement and improvement of the built environment and the provision of public amenities.

• • Partnership and collaboration GODT is committed to parinership working and through a community development approach to enhance the capacity and skills of residents.

• e Community investment and regeneration

• GDT is committed to promoting social enterprise and economic sustainability in the Triax communities.

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GASYARD DEVELOPMENT TRUST TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 37 MARCH 2025

Our Purpose

The Gasyard Development Trust was set up in 1996 to construct a Neighbourhood Cultural Centre. Completion in 2001 enabled the Trust to provide a wide range of services both directly and indirectly for the community in the Bogside, Brandywell and surrounding areas. In-house projects, Bluebell Arts Project and the Children’s Centre deliver much-needed programmes and services to the local community. GDT as a project has a mix of roles — project deliverer, landlord, and facilities provider. The organisation helps to promote, in a strategic way, community and economic regeneration in partnership with other local groups, local schools and the private and statutory sectors.

Public benefit

The Organisation is working exclusively for the local community, developing bespoke and creative programmes and activities for those suffering multiple levels of deprivation to reverse decline and create sustainable communities is at the forefront of our work as we meet our objectives. Our mission is to do whatever it takes to increase the capacity of residents in the Triax area in arder to enhance their social, economic and educational wellbeing including developing the built environment.

It is further evidenced by noble indicators informing us that we have moved from 8th to 44th place for the areas with the highest level of multiple deprivations. While we still remain within the top 10 deprived areas in NI for having the highest levels of multiple deprivation, we are beginning to see the positive outcomes of how our partnership approach to developing the area is being achieved.

Private benefit

We do not provide any individual with a private benefit. Our directors may attend our programme but access these ; somein the artworksame wayandasincreasedothers do,theirand,profile.duringAnyourprivateannualbenefitarts exhibitionis incidentalsometoofprovidingthe artistsmembersattendingof maythe communilyhave sold with the opportunity to increase their skills base and knowledge, increase their appreciation and understanding of local arts projects or to enhance their quality of life.

Beneficiaries

While a number of our activities and programmes are targeted for the benefit of Derry City residents’ beneficiaries are mainly from the Bogside, Brandywell, Bishop Street, Fountain and Creggan communities. Programmes targeting city wide residents are focused on those most vulnerable including children with disabilities, older people with disabilities or those who have alcohol or drug addictions.

Restrictions on who can benefit

There are no restrictions that prevent beneficiaries from accessing our programme. Our cenire has full disabled access with onsite car parking available, has had a disability audit with recommendations being carried out as per feedback, is an every customer counts advacator, ASD friendly and has received the Covid-19 Reassurance Mark. All targeted programmes designed to upskill or remove community isolation have no associated fees with nominal donations applicable for some activities. All staff have received additional training in ASD Awareness, Safe Talk, Listening Ear, Sign Language Training and Health and Safety training.

Trustees Sfatement of Compliance In setting our objectives and planning our activities for the year the trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Gommission for Norther Ireland's guidance on public benefit to ensure that the activities have helped to achieve the charity's purposes and provide a benefit to the beneficiaries.

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GASYARD DEVELOPMENT TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 ia A

Achievements and performance Significant activities and achievements against objectives The was a landmark year for Gasyard Development Trust, with the successful completion of our £2.8 million capital redevelopment. This investment delivered a newly refurbished community hub, including the opening of the Peacemakers Museurn and the creation of key new facilities that included a Family Room, Sensory Room, Podcast Room, and dedicated Ans Rooms within the Centre.

Over the course of the year, GDT also launched a new £150,000 Reconnect Programme, funded by TEO through the Urban Villages Programme. This sits alongside the continued growth of Wildflower Studios and the Bluebell Arts programme, helping position GDT as a arts and cultural anchor in the cily.

Private-sector conferencing and bookings Increased significantly as local businesses began to view the Gasyard as a top-tier event and training venue.

Key new facilities created in this period included the Family Room, Sensory Room, Podcast Room, and Arts Room, all of which have been fully integrated into community programming.

The Peacemakers Museum launched in 2024, drawing significant local and cross-border interest, and forming the comerstone of GDT’s long-term cultural tourism and education strategy.

Arts delivery expanded significantly through the Bluebell Arts Programme and the Wildflower Studios brand, delivering programmes in drama, dance, pottery, creative writing, spoken ward and neurediverse inclusion. A major development this year was the strategic closure of the Afterschools Club. This decision was informed by several factors, including the opportunity to repurpose the space to helter meet the needs of local families through 4 new parinership with SureStan Edenballymore.

The Afterschools Club, while successful, had evolved into a citywide service with a limited proportion of participants coming from the immediate Bogside, Brandywell, and Fountain areas — the communities the Gasyard Centre was originally established to serve. By contrast, the new SureStart Family Centre mode! offers direct, early years and parental support to local families, ensuring stronger alignment with GDT's community development objectives and the priorities of the Triax Neighbourhood Renewal Action Plan.

All existing staff were successfully redeployed within GDT’s wider programme delivery, ensuring no loss of employment. The reduced Afterschool's revenue has been replaced by increased rental income from SureStart, ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of the Centre while maintaining its focus on community benefit and local engagement.

In total, GDT delivered over 1,300 programme sessions engaging more than 43,000 beneficiaries across arts, heritage, health and wellbeing, community safety, and good relations outcomes.

Gasyard Landlord and Partnership Role GDT provides support to its tenants within the building that include the Bogside & Brandywell Initiative, Success Northwest Project, Surestart Edenballymore and Hive Cancer Support Group to deliver much needed services to the local people. They are an integral part of our strong and vibrant community infrastructure here at the Gasyard Centre. Another tenant is Gaelscoil Eadain Mhoir who have been very successful in delivering very high-quality primary education through the medium of the Irish language to local children. We have continued to work in partnership with other community organisations te support the personal and social development of local residents, community workers and project volunteers. This support comes in different forms including management and HR support, governance training or access to first class facilities,

Through our social media platforms, we reached 269,952 people. We are making a teal difference, even with our limited resources and during the post pandemic times in one of the most deprived districts in Northern ireland. The difference GDT makes to the communities of the Triax area are further substantiated by the levels of multiple deprivation increasing from 8 out of 890 wards to 44 out of a of 890 wards. Whilst this increase should be viewed as a success, the area is still within the top 10% in Nt suffering multiple deprivations and a lot more work is required to develop the economic and social regeneration of this area, with the ultimate aim of improving the lives of the local community.

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GASYARD DEVELOPMENT TRUST TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

i

Table of Activities for the Year

|essions
Children's
services
including
After484sessions
Schools
Club
and
Surestart
Edenballymore
including,
homewarl
club, Sign Language Classes, music,||beneficiaries
eedback
{178
children|the club has been special to us
benefiting
frombecause you pul so much time
hildcareservices into supporting our child she is|
omingonsowell’| |---|---|---| |drama,
cooking
wis,
creative
art
activitiesetc||teach
child was
heard
and
listened to.’| |taining,
Volunteering &
Education|i68sessions
including, event management, H&S,
Business
&
Admin
Diploma,
Corarounity
Development
Diploma,
First Aid, ASD Awareness,
Mental
Health & Well-being, Defib Training,
Manual Handling, Social Media, Italian
Classes,
Mentoring
Minds
OCN,
Health& Social CareOCN
Dance programme including Hip Hop,700
Street Dance, Contemporary Dance,jsessions
lsishDancing and Salsa.||(04
peoplelthe way my mentor supported
benefiting
perme was the reason | completed
year
Imy training’
{ am at university because you
believed
in me
and
then
|
believed | could do it,
| owe you
my life’
398
peoplell love coming to the Gasyard
benefiting
fromjand meeting my friends before
inhouse
danceWwegotothedance studio’
activities| |||'f
can’t
dance
very
well
bu| |||coming here is making me sa| |||nappy’| |Btuebelf?
Flip
It!
Arts
programme420
including
creative
writing,
equine
therapy, music therapy, book cfubs|
holistic therapies, music lessons crafy
making,
quilting,
soft
furnishing,
crochet, sculpture, painting, storytelting,
arts
and
crafts,
drama,
music,|~~"|f363
-—people|more thanjusta class— itgave
participated in 37ime purposeandconfidence’
different
arts
lprojects
with
anfAbsolutely brilliant! Tommy was
estimated
a brilliant facilitator. Learned so
Audience
ofmuch about cofour mixing, light,
A7,682
attendingshadowcilsand brushes.’| |woodcarving,
carnival,
circus
skills,
silver sculpting, printing, pottery, drama
land productions.
Mentoringand SupportProgramme||street
performances and
online activities
8
people|'t am now qualified to third level
benefiting
fromieducation,
something
|
neve
entoring
thought
possible
until
you
accredited traininglencouraged me, thankyou’.| |||and
wark| |||placements|

On

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GASYARD DEVELOPMENT TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

ProgrammeofActivity		Number essions	ofiNumber beneficiaries	ofDetail differences made as pe ‘eedback
Community Support & Social Inclusion	27			42,500
Programme io include	conferences,			thatwe lovecoming to’.
fundays (Roaring Meg	Bike	Show,
Christmas showcase, Halloween		famil
fun day, St Patricks Family Fun day
and crisis interventions
		otal Sessions fTotal
		1,799	Beneficiaries
			4,751

Financial review

Total income for the year was £497,793, of which £327,940 was generated from grant funding of programmes and capital build costs, £113,578 from rental income and £56,275 from class fees income.

Total expenditure by the charity was £621,197, which was incurred undertaking activities that further our charitable aims for the benefit of our beneficiaries. This includes one off costs In respect of events and activities fo mark the opening of the Peacemakers Museum on completion of refurbishment works.

The Trustees have released £30,000 from the Building Fund within designated funds to unrestricted funds, set aside for maintenance costs for the Gasyard Heritage and Exhibition Centre, in respect of costs incurred during 2024/25,

The balance on total funds at the year-end was £2,867,073, of which £57,385 were unrestricted, £40,000 were designated and £2,769,688 were restricted.

Reserves policy

It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have nat been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month's expenditure. The trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity's current activities while consideration ts given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been mainiained throughout the year.

The Board of Directors has examined the charity's requirements for reserves in light of the main risks to the organisation. it has established a policy whereby the unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets held by the charity should be at least 6 to 12 months of unrestricted expenditure. The board consider the unrestricted reserves target at the reporting date should be set between £38,075 and £76,151. The reserves are needed to meet the working capital requirements of the charity and the directors are confident that at this level they would be abje to continue the current activities of the charity in the event of a significant drop in funding.

The board continue to monitor and review the funds held to ensure that the existing and future charitable activities of the organisation can be funded from its resources.

Major risks

The Directors are aware of the major risks to which the group is exposed. Systerns and procedures have been established to mitigate the risks the group faces. Internal control risks are minimised through the procedures for authorisation of all transactions and projects, Procedures are periodically reviewed to ensure that they continue to meet the needs of the group. Procedures are also in place to ensure compliance with health and safety of staff, volunteers and users to our centre.

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GASYARD DEVELOPMENT TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

How the charity has mitigated potential harm

We follow best practice in ensuring our facility meets all the legal requirements necessary to offset any potential hazards. We have policies and procedure that are strictly adhered fo and updated annually. Cleaning equipment is chemical free and stored in a locked room. Protective clothing is provided as needed, Child Protection training and procedures are ongoing with qualified and designated staff ratios maintained, restricted access to the Children’s Centre and relevant training pravided. Our Centre has full disabled access with staff adequately trained to support and signpost if necessary, Our Maintenance Officer carries out a daily risk assessment in the building, fire alarm checks, firefighting equipment checks, and individual risk assessments are carried out prior to programme implementation with identified risks removed.

The following health and safety inspections tests and drills were carries out this year.

1. PAT testing of all electrical equipment.

2. Fire Fighting Equipment annual inspection

3. Annual Gas Inspection 4, Event Management and Risk Assessment Pian

Plans for future periods

Looking fonvard, our Strategic Plan (2025-2030) sets a clear course for the development of a Youth Aris Centre in parinership with the Education Authority, enhanced cultural tourism offerings, and new employability and enterprise pathways for our community. Gasyard Development Trust will continue to build on its strong foundation of capital investment, cultural infrastructure and community leadership. Key priorities for the coming period include:

i. Development of a dedicated Youth Arts Centre in partnership with the Education Authority.

1. Expansion of employability and creative enterprise pathways through Wildflower Studios.

2. Increased cultural tourism and outreach through the Peacemakers Museum and city-wide heritage programmes.

3. Scaling up of women’s leadership and skills development through continued delivery of the DfC Women’s Programme.

4. Deepening trauma-informed practice and community resilience across all delivery areas.

5. Enhancing the environmental sustainability of the Gasyard Centre through future retrofit planning.

GDT remains committed to its core mission: to support the regeneration of the Bogside, Brandywell and Fountain communities by creating opportunities in arts, culture, education and economic development.

Structure, governance and management

Governing Document

The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated in Northern freland on 4th March 1996 and is recognised as a charity by the Nt Charities Commission. The governing document is a Memorandum and Anicles of Association.

The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up fo the date of signature of the financial statements were:

Mr Sean Collins (Chairperson)

Mrs Joyce Logue (Resigned 19 September 2025) Mr Martin Connelly Mr David Latimer Mrs Sarah Harkin Mr Emmet McCloskey {Appointed 4 May 2024} Ms Jayne Quigg (Appointed 20 May 2024}

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GASYARD DEVELOPMENT TRUST TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 eeA

Recruitment and appointment of trustees The present board of directors was approved by the membership at their Annual General Meeting. They meet bimonthly in the Gasyard Centre and evaluate the operations and finances of the organisation. The Board of Trustees manages the process of recruitment and appointment of Trustees, and may admit to membership any person interested in promoting the objects (primary purpose) of the charity. A member may withdraw from the company by giving notice to the Charity.

Organisational structure

The Board of Trustees has overall legal responsibility for the charity. The day-to-day operations and decisionmaking continue to be delegated to a Senior Management Team, Jed by Centre Manager Linda McKinney, who report directly to the Board. There are robust reporting structures in place throughout the organisation. The Senior Management Team is made up as follows:

Linda McKinney - Centre Manager

Dearbhia Wilson - Finance & Admin Co-ordinator Michael Cooper~ History Project Co-ordinator Elaine Cusack - Afterschool's Club Co-ordinator Frank Raiferty - Gasyard Bluebell Arts Project Co-ordinator

Other matters

Employee involvement and employment of the disabled Employees have been consulted on issues of concern to them and have been kept informed on specific matters directly by the board. In accordance with the charity's equal opportunity, the charity has established fair employment practices in the recruitment, selection, retention and training of staff.

Statement of trustees‘ responsibilities

The trustees, who are also the directors of Gasyard Development Trust for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice),

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.

In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to: - select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; - observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP; ~ make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; - stale wheiher applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and - prepare the financial statements on ihe going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.

:

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Auditor

In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that Moore (NI) LLP be reappointed as auditor of the company will be put at a General Meeting.

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GASYARD DEVELOPMENT TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Disclosure of Information to auditor

Each of the trustees has confirmed that there is no information of which hey are aware which is relevant to the audit, but of which the auditor is unaware, They have further confirmed that they have taken appropriate steps to identify such relevant information and to establish that the auditor is aware of such information.

The trustees’ report was approved by ihe Board of Trustees.

Mr Sean Collins (Chairperson) Trustee

18 December 2025

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